Clark has done his chances good

Darlington take on Bury at the Williamson Motors Stadium this coming Saturday knowing that a result will continue their push up the table. Wins against Southend United and Oxford United have sent the feel good factor surrounding the club through the roof.

While optimism can change in seconds the air around the club feels different at the moment and there definitely is the mood that this season could turn into something special. Considering the good times normally roll round once every five years or so it would be about the right time&.

The visitors Bury will certainly be no push over. Since dropping into the basement division they have only looked like regaining promotion once in 2003 when they landed the final play off slot in the division. This season has been equally tough for the Shakers who find themselves in mid table before the game. On their travels Bury have recorded just one win and their form in September was certainly something to sweep under the carpet and forget about.

Quakers can boast a mean strike force at the moment consisting of Wijnhard and Armstrong. However Bury have found themselves their very own gem in the form of David Nugent. The young striker has scored seven times in twelve league starts. Still only nineteen the forward has found success in front of goal easy to come by this campaign and his quick pace and strength should ensure that Quakers back line keeps tabs on him at all times. Whilst Nugent has shown a good start to this season he will come across one of his toughest tests yet. Darlington's defence is looking like the proverbial brick wall. With Sam Russell in between the sticks the Bury youngster is going to have to work hard.

Dave Hodgson is always one to keep faith in a winning side. However the Darlington boss was given plenty to think about during the 2-1 win at Oxford last Sunday. "I've always believed in sticking with winning teams, but we only won at Oxford after making substitutions," said Hodgson in the Northern Echo. "We made too many mistakes in the first half. But we put a lot of hard work in during the second and we got our rewards. Obviously Clarky has given me plenty to think about and it would be difficult to ignore Craig Hignett as well. We didn't feel it was right to risk Higgy last week, but he's trained this week and there's a good chance he will start against Bury."

Current form aside the previous encounters at Darlington's home have seen Quakers come away with the lion's share of the points. Whilst last season saw a 3-1 defeat Darlington recorded results of a 3-1 win in 2002/03 and a 4-0 win in 1995/96.

During the week Mark Proctor called for Darlington to push further up the table and with the bonus of being at home Quakers will be looking to do just that. Your official website will bring you team news ahead of kick off and remember for those fans exiled then there is full match commentary from BBC Cleveland's Ray Simpson on Quakers World.

Last ten meetings

2003/04
Division 3	Bury	1-1	Darlington	28-02-04
Division 3	Darlington	1-3	Bury	25-10-03
2002/03
Division 3	Darlington	3-1	Bury	29-03-03
Division 3	Bury	2-2	Darlington	12-10-02
1995/96
Division 3	Darlington	4-0	Bury	20-04-96
Division 3	Bury	0-0	Darlington	04-11-95
1994/95
Division 3	Bury	2-1	Darlington	06-05-95
Division 3	Darlington	0-2	Bury	08-10-94
1993/94
Division 3	Darlington	1-0	Bury	07-05-94
Division 3	Bury	5-1	Darlington	27-11-93

Bury's last five games